Police officer texting before fatal Connecticut crash sentenced

Even though drivers are expected to understand and follow traffic laws in Connecticut, not all motorists do this. Many people think they are above the law or they simply fail to consider the consequences of reckless behaviors. They do not realize or care that their driving could end up hurting or killing an innocent person in a fatal car accident.

Most people would agree that the police officers who enforce these laws and issue tickets to dangerous drivers would be among the safest drivers since they have seen the devastation that can be caused in a crash. But even police officers engage in dangerous driving behaviors. A tragic accident in Connecticut two years ago was a brutal reminder that any driver who is operating their vehicles in an unsafe manner can end up causing an accident.

The accident occurred when a former police dispatcher was driving on the Interstate 291 bridge. The 35-year-old man decided to quickly check his phone and read a text he had received. Distracted by his phone, the man failed to avoid hitting the back of a motorcycle. He smashed into the motorcycle, killing the female rider in the accident.

The former officer was recently sentenced after he pleaded guilty to a charge of felony misconduct with a motor vehicle. He will spend six months in jail.

People all over the country should know how dangerous it is to get distracted by a phone while driving. Not only is using a handheld phone to talk or text while driving dangerous, but it is also illegal in Connecticut. No one, not even police officers, is above the law. Any reckless drivers who choose to ignore their duty to drive safely should be held accountable for the damage that they cause.